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Transcript of Government of the British Isles and Northern Europe North Carolina Geographic Alliance PowerPoint...
Government of the
British Isles and
Northern Europe
North Carolina Geographic AlliancePowerPoint Presentations 2007
Definitions
• Monarchy – rule by a monarch, usually a king or a queen.
• Absolute Monarchy – a monarchy in which the king or queen has almost total control.
• Constitutional Monarchy – a monarchy in which the power of the monarch is limited by law and custom.
Definitions
• Democracy – meaning “rule by the people”. A system of government, such as a representative democracy, where people choose their leaders.
• Republic – A system of government is which representatives are elected by the people to govern and make laws.
Absolute MonarchyFor centuries
England was
ruled by absolute
monarchs such as
Henry VIII and
Elizabeth I. Both
ruled with almost
total control.
Henry VIII ruled England from 1509-1547
Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558-
1603
Constitutional Monarchy
Queen Elizabeth II rules the United Kingdom as a constitutional monarch. While she has little ruling power, she serves as a symbol of the country’s traditions and carries out many ceremonial powers.
Constitutional Monarchy
Queen Elizabeth
speaks at the opening
of Parliament each
year. This is a
ceremonial duty of the
monarch of the United
Kingdom.
British Parliament
Parliament is the legislative branch of the
government of the United Kingdom. Laws
are made by Parliament.
Parliament consists of two branches
House of Lords House of Commons
House of LordsThe House of Lords,
with about 1200
members, is made
up of the bishops of
the Church of
England and the
hereditary and life
peers, all of whom
are appointed by the
Crown.
The House of Lords has little political power.
House of CommonsThe House of Commons has 659 members, elected from equal-size districts by British subjects at least 18 years old.Members of Parliament serve a five year term.
House of Commons
The House of Commons holds the political
power in the United Kingdom. It is the
ruling legislative (law making) part of
government.
The political leader of the United Kingdom,
the prime minister, comes from the
House of Commons.
House of CommonsThe political party with the majority of the seats in the House of Commons becomes the majority party. The leader of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister selects members of his or her party to serve on the Cabinet. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet form the ruling government of the United Kingdom.
House of Commons
Conservative Party Labour Party
367 seats 292 seats
Majority party Minority Party
The leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister, appoints the Cabinet and forms the government.
The leader of the party leads the Opposition in the House of Commons.
House of Commons
Conservative Party Labour Party
249 seats 410 seats
Majority partyMinority Party
The leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister, appoints the Cabinet and forms the government.
The leader of the party leads the Opposition in the House of Commons.
Monarchies in Nordenand the British Isles
• United Kingdom-Queen Elizabeth II (1952)
• Norway - King Harald V (1991)
• Sweden – King Carl XVI Gustav (1973)
• Denmark - Queen Margarethe II (1972)
Republics in Norden and the British Isles
• Ireland
• Iceland
• Finland
These republics have an elected parliament and a prime minister that serves as the head of government.
They also have an elected president who performs ceremonial duties.